A Freewheeling Questlove Drops a New Hit with ‘Hip-Hop Is History’
With its deft layering of words, its samples, and how it articulates sound, Questlove’s Hip-Hop Is History is like De La Soul’s excellent album 3 Feet High and Rising.
James A. Cosby
Jim is an attorney and an author in Philadelphia. Jim's first book, DEVIL'S MUSIC, HOLY ROLLERS, AND HILLBILLIES: HOW AMERICA GAVE BIRTH TO ROCK AND ROLL (McFarland, 2016) (Kirkus: "illuminating and intriguing"; Minnesota Public Radio Rock Book Club Selection), is on sale everywhere, as well as featured at legendary Sun Studio and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Jim's follow-up book: ROCK MUSIC, AUTHORITY AND WESTERN CULTURE, 1964-1980, is available NOW through McFarland Books: "Cosby's vivid, perceptive prose captures the visceral impact of rock music....The result is a compelling look at why, how, and where rock and roll moved us." -Kirkus Reviews ("Editor's Pick"); "seminal and ground-breaking" -Midwest Book Review, "[Cosby] expertly weaves together an intriguing and coherent story of rock and roll’s evolution....fantastic resource." -Library Journal.
Jim has also published legal scholarship on children's rights and the Constitution, as well as writing on music-related topics as a regular contributor to PopMatters since 2013, and elsewhere.
Jim can be contacted at JimCosby01 AT Yahoo DOT com
Rachel Maddow on the Bit Players’ Big Effects on Promoting American Fascism
Rachel Maddow’s latest book on political history, Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism, weaves varying players past into a singular danger present.
Immersed in America: The Creation of Elvis Presley
We know how Elvis Presley’s story reflects on American history, its music and mythology, but how did America help to create Elvis?
Chuck D’s Graphic Novel ‘Summer of Hamn’ Zeros in on “Hatriots” and More
With graphic novel Summer of Hamn, rap legend and now visual artist Chuck D has produced his second, strong, COVID-era work of art and social commentary.
Chuck D Adds Talented Visual Artist to His Resume with ‘Stewdio’
Chuck D’s style in his three-volume, Covid-era graphic novel STEWdio can be described as neo-expressionistic with images and text often intertwined like Jean-Michael Basquiat’s art.
John Lennon’s Work of Faith
Removed from the pandemonium of Beatlemania, John Lennon knew the limits of his influence. All he could do was sing his truth and suggest people “imagine” a better world for themselves. Or not.
The Excellent ‘Little Richard: I Am Everything’ Captures Just About Everything
Little Richard brought a sheer exhilaration that was sexual, spiritual, and joyous and put it to music like no other. Lisa Cortés excellent documentary does the man justice.
People Like This? Metallica’s Crossover Contribution to Reaction Videos
Watching Chris&RheasiaTv’s reaction video to Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” illustrates the power of these crossover connections.
Bob Stanley’s Book on the Birth of Pop Music Spins One Helluva Playlist
Bob Stanley provides an utterly comprehensive and much-appreciated reference guide for the world of pre-rock pop music. We just need to carve out a million hours to stream the music.
Why Tribalism Matters in Reality Show ‘Big Brother’
Reality television show Big Brother has a traceable racial bias, but its contestants and fans often mistake their tribalism for racism.
What Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Elvis’ Got Right and a Lot That It Didn’t
Baz Luhrmann used many entertaining razzle-dazzle techniques to capture Elvis Presley’s complex story on film. He even got some things right. But there’s a lot he didn’t.
Revisiting the Pain and Brilliance of Pearl Jam’s ‘Black’ Unplugged
In Pearl Jam’s moving performance of “Black” on MTV Unplugged, Eddie Vedder conveyed a personal struggle that that today interprets to issues beyond the self.